The Gardens Trust is urging the UK Government to reconsider its plans, announced on 10 March,
to remove the role of the Trust as a statutory consultee on planning applications.
Currently, local Planning Authorities are required to consult the Gardens Trust on planning
applications that might affect sites on the statutory Register of Parks and Gardens of Special
Historic Interest, to ensure nature, heritage and local communities are considered in the planning
of new developments.
Linden Groves, Head of Operations & Strategy at the Gardens Trust said:
“We are deeply concerned by the Government’s plans to remove our critical role as a statutory
consultee. If enacted, this will significantly weaken the safeguarding of the nation’s well-loved
historic parks and gardens, putting these irreplaceable cultural assets at greater risk of loss or
destruction.
“We are consulted on 1800 planning applications each year, providing positive and constructive
advice – and over 90% of our responses do not object to proposed development or lead to delays.
We are urging the Government to reconsider removing this essential scrutiny from the process.”
The Gardens Trust receives an annual grant of £42,000 from the Department of Culture, Media
and Sport to fulfil its role and ensure expert oversight and technical advice is provided to decision
makers across England. The Gardens Trust is engaging with stakeholders about the implications
of the Government’s proposal.
President Dominic Cole BA DipLA. CMLI. FI Hort. RHS VMM. OBE, said:
“Historic parks and gardens are for all of us – they bring delight, beauty, joy and peace. They are
rich sources of stories and places of discovery and inspiration, uniting people from all
backgrounds, but they are constantly at risk because everyone thinks they will be here,
unchanged, forever.
“We have been inundated with expressions of concern and support from the public and the
organisations we work with to continuously protect and promote the country’s beloved – and world envied
– parks and gardens. We remain committed to working collaboratively with decision-makers
to ensure that these special places continue to thrive alongside new homes and necessary
infrastructure development.”